On May 9th, 2017, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced an extension of the deadline for compliancy regarding the Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Settings Regulations.The original deadline for states demonstrating compliance with this new rule, was March 17, 2019. The deadline has now been extended by 3 years, until March 17, 2022.
The HCBS Settings Regulations established expectations through new standards that ensure those receiving HCBS Waiver services experience and exercise choice, independence, and control over their lives while being integrated and active members of their community. CMS looked to states to share their action steps towards, and compliance with, these regulations. To date, Tennessee has been the only state to have their Statewide Transition Plan approved by CMS.
In the informational bulletin released by CMS on May 9th, 2017, it was stated that “CMS intends to continue to work with states on their transition plans for settings that were operating before March 17, 2014 to enable states to achieve compliance with the settings criteria beyond 2019.”
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HCBS Settings Rule: Toolkit for States
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CMS Extends HCBS Compliancy Transition Period